Saturday, January 17, 2009

Troubling statements from police: "It is important that all rape allegations are treated as genuine until evidence proves otherwise."

We are always confused by comments by police, such as those that appear in the following news story. If a rape allegation is treated as "genuine" until evidence proves otherwise, what does that mean for men who are accused of rape? Guilty, in the eyes of the police, until proven innocent? In other words, the presumption of innocence is flipped on its head for this one crime alone? Despite the objectively verifiable evidence showing that significant numbers of women lie about rape? Wouldn't it be more appropriate if the police said that they investigate every claim of rape thoroughly? Of course it would, but that wouldn't be especially politically correct for this particular crime.Woman Charged With Making False Rape Complaint

30 December 2008 - Police in Hawera are continuing to investigate the rape on Christmas Day of a 22-year-old woman, but a second allegation made on December 29 by a 24-year-old woman has been found to be false.

A team of around 11 detectives were already investigating the first offence when a second complaint of a very similar nature was made. As enquiries were made there was concern among investigators as to the authenticity of the second allegation. Having interviewed the woman today police are now satisfied that there was no second attack.

The 24-year-old local woman has been charged with making a false complaint and will be appearing at Hawera District Court on 5 January 2009.

Detective Senior Sergeant Keith Borrell said: "It is important that all rape allegations are treated as genuine until evidence proves otherwise. On this occasion we are now satisfied that we are dealing with one isolated offence and although one offence is still a serious matter, we hope that the community, are in some way reassured that we are not dealing with a serial offender. I also hope this does not deter genuine victims of sexual assault from coming forward."